(1) When television writers get stuck for ideas, they always seem to turn to the same old gimmicks. (2) One such gimmick is to get the main characters stuck somewhere, perhaps in an elevator, on an island, or on a plane that is going down. (3) The plot always unfolds in the same way: the characters reveal all sorts of intimate information, only to be rescued before the show ends. (4) Perhaps the most overused gimmick is the introduction of a celebrity into the cast of characters as someone's relative or love interest. (5) This move is a sure sign that the writers and producers have run out of fresh material.
1. Which of the following conclusions can be made based on this passage?
a. TV writers and producers enjoy using gimmicks b. TV writers and producers all suffer from writer's block
c. TV writers and producers sometimes succeed in persuading celebrities to appear on shows
d. TV audiences cannot recognize a plot that is used in a multitude of settings and genres e. TV writers and producers are not nearly as creative as they often appear to be
2. Which of the following inferences can be made based on the passage?
a. A small group of writers and producers write the material for most TV shows
b. Using formulas is not the way to create successful TV shows
c. There are only three main scenarios that writers use to invigorate shows
d. Story lines must always feature original, never-before-seen content if a show is to be successful e. Certain scenarios and story lines are used in many kinds of shows.
Practice #40
1. His claim to fame is because he was once on a reality TV show; however, he got kicked off the show after the first episode. No error.
2. Its amazing how moviegoers willingly pay the exorbitant prices for popcorn, candy, soda, and nachos at the theater. No error.
Practice #41
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.
1. Extra security was hired by the colleges for the football game.
a. Extra security was hired by the colleges for the football game.
b. Extra security were hired by the colleges for the football game.
c. Extra security was hired for the football game by the colleges. d. The colleges hired extra security for the football game.
e. The colleges were hired by extra security for the football game.
2. She broke her nails trying to open the can of soda which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red.
a. nails trying to open the can of soda which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red b. nails, which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red, trying to open the can of soda
c. nails which had just been painted, trying to open the can of soda, a beautiful shade of cherry red
d. nails while trying to open the can of soda which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red
e. nails trying to open the can of soda, which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red
SAT #43
(1) The Barton County School District plans to launch a new program for evaluating its teachers. (2) BCSD is hoping that its pilot program can serve as a prototype for other districts across the state and even across the country. (3) The committee wants its evaluation program to measure a teacher's knowledge of his or her subject matter, effectiveness in the classroom, and demeanor in and out of the classroom.
1. Besides evaluating each teacher in the district, BCSD also hopes to do which of the following with its teacher evaluation program? a. offer the program as a model for other interested administrators
b. determine teacher merit pay
c. determine student placement based on teacher competency
d. place teachers in suitable schools
e. measure the relative intelligence of the district teachers
2. Which of the following will not be measured by the BCSD teacher evaluation program?
a. a teacher's manner in a classroom setting b. a teacher's efficacy with students in a learning environment
c. a teacher's behavior and conduct outside the classroom
d. a teacher's comprehension of his or her main subject
e. a teacher's expertise in cross-curricular subjects
SAT #44
1. Thea teacher's scribbled _ not only excited Sida, they _ her to keep up her hard work.
a. complements...motivated b. compliments...motivated
c. exhortations...exhilarated
d. conflagrations...enervated
e. dissertations...ameliorated
2. Much to the dismay of the scientific community, the supported a theory that completely _ fifty years of accepted science.
a. orator...collaborated
b. recluse...embroiled
c. prophet....disoriented d. novice...discredited
e. evangelist...disregarded
SAT #45
(1) The Barton County School District plans to launch a new program for evaluating its teachers. (2) BCSD is hoping that its pilot program can serve as a prototype for other districts across the state and even across the country. (3) The committee wants its evaluation program to measure a teacher's knowledge of his or her subject matter, effectiveness in the classroom, and demeanor in and out of the classroom.
1. Besides evaluating each teacher in the district, BCSD also hopes to do which of the following with its teacher evaluation program? a. offer the program as a model for other interested administrators
b. determine teacher merit pay
c. determine student placement based on teacher competency
d. place teachers in suitable schools
e. measure the relative intelligence of the district teachers
2. Which of the following will not be measured by the BCSD teacher evaluation program?
a. a teacher's manner in a classroom setting b. a teacher's efficacy with students in a learning environment
c. a teacher's behavior and conduct outside the classroom
d. a teacher's comprehension of his or her main subject
e. a teacher's expertise in cross-curricular subjects
SAT #46
(1) Less than one percent of the money in the criminal justice system budget is spent on vocational training for inmates in state prisons. (2) Critics argue that if more money was spent on training, fewer prisoners would return to a life of crime. (3) If more money was spent on helping prisoners learn work skills, less money would have to be spent on processing and incarcerating convicts. (4) This is assuming, of course, that inmates want vocational training.
1. Which of the following inferences can be made based on the argument in the passage above?
a. Inmates who receive vocational training will probably wind up back in prison.
b. Inmates who receive vocational training are just as likely to commit crimes as those who do not receive vocational training. c. Inmates who receive vocational training are less likely to commit crimes upon their release.
d. Tax money should not be spent on vocational training for inmates.
e. The criminal justice system should reevaluate its priorities.
2. In sentence 3, the term "incarcerating" means
a. setting free
b. educating
c. prosecuting d. imprisoning
e. releasing
SAT #47
(1) Frank decided to open his own construction company. (2) His first move was to hire a crew. (3) He hired a carpenter. (4) He hired a plumber. (5) He hired an electrician and a concrete expert. (6) Frank wanted to advertise, so he put an ad in the newspaper and he ran the ad for three months. (7) Within a matter of just a few weeks, Frank had signed twelve contracts for new housing construction in three different subdivisions in of the city. (8) Frank was well on his way to succeess.
Which of the following is the best combination of sentences 2, 3, 4, and 5?
a. Frank's first move was to: hire a crew, hire a carpenter, hire an electrician, and hire a concrete expert.
b. Frank, as his first move, was to hire a crew that consisted of everything from a carpenter to a concrete expert.
c. Frank's first move was to hire a crew consisting of a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, and a concrete expert.
d. A carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, and a concrete expert made up Frank's crew; he hired them. e. Frank first hired a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, and then a concrete expert as his first move for a crew.
SAT #48
1. Bull riders must surely have to really be strong and brave.
a. must surely have to really be
b. surely must really have to be
c. really must surely be d. have to surely be
e. have to be
2. Doctors and nurses, that work in emergency rooms, often suffer from work-related stress.
a. nurses, that work in emergency rooms, b. nurses who work in emergency rooms
c. nurses which, work in emergency rooms,
d. nurses, who work, in emergency rooms
e. nurses, whom work in emergency rooms,
SAT #50
1. The new governor never (blank) any of his campaign promises, and as a result his supporters felt totally (blank).
a. made...convinced
b. encouraged...secured
c. authored...bamboozled d. fulfilled...betrayed
e. authenticated...disassociated
2. Sam idolized his brother and tried to (blank) him every respect.
a. vindicate b. emulate
c. propagate
d. formulate
e. integrate
SAT #54
1. The professor stood in front of the class of college freshmen and lectures them on punctuality, discipline, and responsibility.
a. and lectures them
b. and, lectures them
c. and, lectured them d. and lectured them
e. and lectured their
2. Manny and Miguel spent all night; playing their guitars, talking, and writing new music.
a. night; playing b. night playing
c. night: playing
d. night and were playing
e. nights playing
SAT #57
1. In an attempt to (blank) the uprising, the government (blank ) troops to the frontier.
a. confess...employed
b. digress...convoyed
c. regress...conveyed d. suppress...deployed
e. fortress...alloyed
2. The (blank) team bounced back from the loss and went on to win the title.
a. efficient
b. considerate c. resilient
d. influential
e. salubrious
SAT #58
(1) America's Mars exploration cost hundreds of millions of dollars. (2) To date, we have uncovered no firm evidence of life beyond Earth. (3) I think that such an investment is hardly worthwhile, considering the problems we have here on Earth. (4) Shouldn't we spend our tax dollars on education, defense, and the arts instead of worrying about remote reaches of the solar system? (5) I can't understand what proponents of space exploration are thinking.
1. Which of the following does the author of this passage believe?
a. Space exploration is too expensive.
b. Money spent on space exploration is creating a budget deficit.
c. Money spent on space exploration is driving up the tax rate. d.Money spent on space exploration would be better spent on other projects.
e. Money spent on understanding the universe prevents scientists from understanding the earth.
2. In sentence 5, the term "proponents" means a. advocates
b. antagonists
c. scientists
d. investors
e. researchers
SAT #60
1. Soap operas which seem all the same to me, are full of melodrama, secrets, and romance.
a. soap operas which
b. soap operas: which
c. soap operas, which
d. soap operas who
e. soap operas that
2. Clothes from the seventies seems to have made a big comeback.
a. Clothes from the seventies seems b. Clothes from the seventies seem
c. Clothes from the seventies had seemed
d. Clothes, from the seventies, seems
e. Clothes from the seventies seemingly SAT #62
(1) My grandfather frequently rode trains from place to place when he was a young boy. (2) Occasionally he paid for his passage, but more often than not, he hopped inside an empty boxcar and hitched a ride from town to town. (3) He has worked on his train collection for nearly forty years now. (4) He has collected seventy complete train sets, dozens of antique signs, and miscellaneous train and railroad memorabilia. (5) He was even thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
1. Which of the following sentences should be added to the beginning of sentence 3?
a. His memories of trains are still with him.
b. Collecting trains can be very expensive.
c. Collecting trains can be very profitable.
d. Trains are very collectible.
e. His memories of riding trains inspired my grandfather to collect trains and train memorabilia.
2. In the context of the passage, which of the following is the best revision of sentence 5?
a. He had even thought about opening a railroad museum here in town.
b. He had been thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
c. He is even thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
d. He started to think about opening a railroad museum here in town.
e. He once had even been thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
Practice #39
(1) When television writers get stuck for ideas, they always seem to turn to the same old gimmicks. (2) One such gimmick is to get the main characters stuck somewhere, perhaps in an elevator, on an island, or on a plane that is going down. (3) The plot always unfolds in the same way: the characters reveal all sorts of intimate information, only to be rescued before the show ends. (4) Perhaps the most overused gimmick is the introduction of a celebrity into the cast of characters as someone's relative or love interest. (5) This move is a sure sign that the writers and producers have run out of fresh material.
1. Which of the following conclusions can be made based on this passage?
a. TV writers and producers enjoy using gimmicks
b. TV writers and producers all suffer from writer's block
c. TV writers and producers sometimes succeed in persuading celebrities to appear on shows
d. TV audiences cannot recognize a plot that is used in a multitude of settings and genres
e. TV writers and producers are not nearly as creative as they often appear to be
2. Which of the following inferences can be made based on the passage?
a. A small group of writers and producers write the material for most TV shows
b. Using formulas is not the way to create successful TV shows
c. There are only three main scenarios that writers use to invigorate shows
d. Story lines must always feature original, never-before-seen content if a show is to be successful
e. Certain scenarios and story lines are used in many kinds of shows.
Practice #40
1. His claim to fame is because he was once on a reality TV show; however, he got kicked off the show after the first episode. No error.
2. Its amazing how moviegoers willingly pay the exorbitant prices for popcorn, candy, soda, and nachos at the theater. No error.
Practice #41
Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.1. Extra security was hired by the colleges for the football game.
a. Extra security was hired by the colleges for the football game.
b. Extra security were hired by the colleges for the football game.
c. Extra security was hired for the football game by the colleges.
d. The colleges hired extra security for the football game.
e. The colleges were hired by extra security for the football game.
2. She broke her nails trying to open the can of soda which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red.
a. nails trying to open the can of soda which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red
b. nails, which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red, trying to open the can of soda
c. nails which had just been painted, trying to open the can of soda, a beautiful shade of cherry red
d. nails while trying to open the can of soda which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red
e. nails trying to open the can of soda, which had just been painted a beautiful shade of cherry red
SAT #43
(1) The Barton County School District plans to launch a new program for evaluating its teachers. (2) BCSD is hoping that its pilot program can serve as a prototype for other districts across the state and even across the country. (3) The committee wants its evaluation program to measure a teacher's knowledge of his or her subject matter, effectiveness in the classroom, and demeanor in and out of the classroom.
1. Besides evaluating each teacher in the district, BCSD also hopes to do which of the following with its teacher evaluation program?
a. offer the program as a model for other interested administrators
b. determine teacher merit pay
c. determine student placement based on teacher competency
d. place teachers in suitable schools
e. measure the relative intelligence of the district teachers
2. Which of the following will not be measured by the BCSD teacher evaluation program?
a. a teacher's manner in a classroom setting
b. a teacher's efficacy with students in a learning environment
c. a teacher's behavior and conduct outside the classroom
d. a teacher's comprehension of his or her main subject
e. a teacher's expertise in cross-curricular subjects
SAT #44
1. Thea teacher's scribbled _ not only excited Sida, they _ her to keep up her hard work.
a. complements...motivated
b. compliments...motivated
c. exhortations...exhilarated
d. conflagrations...enervated
e. dissertations...ameliorated
2. Much to the dismay of the scientific community, the supported a theory that completely _ fifty years of accepted science.
a. orator...collaborated
b. recluse...embroiled
c. prophet....disoriented
d. novice...discredited
e. evangelist...disregarded
SAT #45
(1) The Barton County School District plans to launch a new program for evaluating its teachers. (2) BCSD is hoping that its pilot program can serve as a prototype for other districts across the state and even across the country. (3) The committee wants its evaluation program to measure a teacher's knowledge of his or her subject matter, effectiveness in the classroom, and demeanor in and out of the classroom.
1. Besides evaluating each teacher in the district, BCSD also hopes to do which of the following with its teacher evaluation program?
a. offer the program as a model for other interested administrators
b. determine teacher merit pay
c. determine student placement based on teacher competency
d. place teachers in suitable schools
e. measure the relative intelligence of the district teachers
2. Which of the following will not be measured by the BCSD teacher evaluation program?
a. a teacher's manner in a classroom setting
b. a teacher's efficacy with students in a learning environment
c. a teacher's behavior and conduct outside the classroom
d. a teacher's comprehension of his or her main subject
e. a teacher's expertise in cross-curricular subjects
SAT #46
(1) Less than one percent of the money in the criminal justice system budget is spent on vocational training for inmates in state prisons. (2) Critics argue that if more money was spent on training, fewer prisoners would return to a life of crime. (3) If more money was spent on helping prisoners learn work skills, less money would have to be spent on processing and incarcerating convicts. (4) This is assuming, of course, that inmates want vocational training.1. Which of the following inferences can be made based on the argument in the passage above?
a. Inmates who receive vocational training will probably wind up back in prison.
b. Inmates who receive vocational training are just as likely to commit crimes as those who do not receive vocational training.
c. Inmates who receive vocational training are less likely to commit crimes upon their release.
d. Tax money should not be spent on vocational training for inmates.
e. The criminal justice system should reevaluate its priorities.
2. In sentence 3, the term "incarcerating" means
a. setting free
b. educating
c. prosecuting
d. imprisoning
e. releasing
SAT #47
(1) Frank decided to open his own construction company. (2) His first move was to hire a crew. (3) He hired a carpenter. (4) He hired a plumber. (5) He hired an electrician and a concrete expert. (6) Frank wanted to advertise, so he put an ad in the newspaper and he ran the ad for three months. (7) Within a matter of just a few weeks, Frank had signed twelve contracts for new housing construction in three different subdivisions in of the city. (8) Frank was well on his way to succeess.Which of the following is the best combination of sentences 2, 3, 4, and 5?
a. Frank's first move was to: hire a crew, hire a carpenter, hire an electrician, and hire a concrete expert.
b. Frank, as his first move, was to hire a crew that consisted of everything from a carpenter to a concrete expert.
c. Frank's first move was to hire a crew consisting of a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, and a concrete expert.
d. A carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, and a concrete expert made up Frank's crew; he hired them.
e. Frank first hired a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, and then a concrete expert as his first move for a crew.
SAT #48
1. Bull riders must surely have to really be strong and brave.
a. must surely have to really be
b. surely must really have to be
c. really must surely be
d. have to surely be
e. have to be
2. Doctors and nurses, that work in emergency rooms, often suffer from work-related stress.
a. nurses, that work in emergency rooms,
b. nurses who work in emergency rooms
c. nurses which, work in emergency rooms,
d. nurses, who work, in emergency rooms
e. nurses, whom work in emergency rooms,
SAT #50
1. The new governor never (blank) any of his campaign promises, and as a result his supporters felt totally (blank).
a. made...convinced
b. encouraged...secured
c. authored...bamboozled
d. fulfilled...betrayed
e. authenticated...disassociated
2. Sam idolized his brother and tried to (blank) him every respect.
a. vindicate
b. emulate
c. propagate
d. formulate
e. integrate
SAT #54
1. The professor stood in front of the class of college freshmen and lectures them on punctuality, discipline, and responsibility.
a. and lectures them
b. and, lectures them
c. and, lectured them
d. and lectured them
e. and lectured their
2. Manny and Miguel spent all night; playing their guitars, talking, and writing new music.
a. night; playing
b. night playing
c. night: playing
d. night and were playing
e. nights playing
SAT #57
1. In an attempt to (blank) the uprising, the government (blank ) troops to the frontier.
a. confess...employed
b. digress...convoyed
c. regress...conveyed
d. suppress...deployed
e. fortress...alloyed
2. The (blank) team bounced back from the loss and went on to win the title.
a. efficient
b. considerate
c. resilient
d. influential
e. salubrious
SAT #58
(1) America's Mars exploration cost hundreds of millions of dollars. (2) To date, we have uncovered no firm evidence of life beyond Earth. (3) I think that such an investment is hardly worthwhile, considering the problems we have here on Earth. (4) Shouldn't we spend our tax dollars on education, defense, and the arts instead of worrying about remote reaches of the solar system? (5) I can't understand what proponents of space exploration are thinking.
1. Which of the following does the author of this passage believe?
a. Space exploration is too expensive.
b. Money spent on space exploration is creating a budget deficit.
c. Money spent on space exploration is driving up the tax rate.
d.Money spent on space exploration would be better spent on other projects.
e. Money spent on understanding the universe prevents scientists from understanding the earth.
2. In sentence 5, the term "proponents" means
a. advocates
b. antagonists
c. scientists
d. investors
e. researchers
SAT #60
1. Soap operas which seem all the same to me, are full of melodrama, secrets, and romance.
a. soap operas which
b. soap operas: which
c. soap operas, which
d. soap operas who
e. soap operas that
2. Clothes from the seventies seems to have made a big comeback.
a. Clothes from the seventies seems
b. Clothes from the seventies seem
c. Clothes from the seventies had seemed
d. Clothes, from the seventies, seems
e. Clothes from the seventies seemingly
SAT #62
(1) My grandfather frequently rode trains from place to place when he was a young boy. (2) Occasionally he paid for his passage, but more often than not, he hopped inside an empty boxcar and hitched a ride from town to town. (3) He has worked on his train collection for nearly forty years now. (4) He has collected seventy complete train sets, dozens of antique signs, and miscellaneous train and railroad memorabilia. (5) He was even thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
1. Which of the following sentences should be added to the beginning of sentence 3?
a. His memories of trains are still with him.
b. Collecting trains can be very expensive.
c. Collecting trains can be very profitable.
d. Trains are very collectible.
e. His memories of riding trains inspired my grandfather to collect trains and train memorabilia.
2. In the context of the passage, which of the following is the best revision of sentence 5?
a. He had even thought about opening a railroad museum here in town.
b. He had been thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
c. He is even thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
d. He started to think about opening a railroad museum here in town.
e. He once had even been thinking about opening a railroad museum here in town.
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